Latest news with #SajiCherian
Time of India
2 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Construction of Nayarambalam fish market will be completed in 10 months: Cherian
Kochi: The construction of Nayarambalam fish market will be completed in 10 months, said fisheries minister Saji Cherian. He was speaking at the inauguration ceremony on Monday. K N Unnikrishnan, Vypeen MLA, presided over the event. He mentioned that the modern fish market is a milestone for the entire constituency, especially for the development of Nayarambalam. The MLA also explained that installing synthetic geo tubes on the shores of Njarakkal, Nayarambalam and Pallippuram will enhance economic and safety standards of the fishermen. Nayarambalam fish market is being reconstructed with modern facilities at a cost of Rs 2.76 crore. After years of delays due to various reasons, the reconstruction is now being carried out with financial assistance from KIIFB, under the execution of state coastal development corporation. Considering the development potential of the fish market, the new building will have an area of 406sqm over two floors. The first floor, with an area of 274 sqm, will include 10 stainless steel fish stalls, a freezer room, a preparation room for cleaning fish, five toilets, a toilet for differently-abled individuals and an auction hall covering 110sqm. The second floor, with an area of 132 sqm, will house an office, a restroom and a quality control room.
The Hindu
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Hindu
ITFoK 2026 to be held from January 25 to February 1
The 16th edition of the International Theatre Festival of Kerala (ITFoK) will take place from January 25 to February 1, 2026. The announcement was made by Cultural Affairs Minister Saji Cherian during the Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi awards ceremony recently. Renowned theatre director and educator Abhilash Pillai has been appointed as the Festival Director for ITFoK 2026. This marks his fourth term in the role, having previously led the festival in 2009, 2010, and 2017. A distinguished figure in Indian theatre, Mr. Pillai has held leadership roles in several festivals both in India and abroad. A graduate of the School of Drama, Thrissur, he pursued his post-graduation from the National School of Drama, Delhi, and advanced theatre studies at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts (RADA), London. He also received specialised training from leading directors at London's prestigious Orange Tree Theatre. He currently serves as the Director of the School of Drama and Fine Arts, Thrissur. He is also a recipient of the Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi Award and several other accolades. Joining Mr. Pillai in the festival directorate are Anamika Haksar (Acclaimed director and theatre activist); Ruwanthie de Chickera (Sri Lankan theatre director); Sreejith Ramanan and M.G. Jyotish (notable Malayalam theatre practitioners and educators). To further elevate the artistic and curatorial standards of the festival, a high-profile advisory committee has been constituted with senior theatre persons Ratan Thiyam, M.K. Raina, Anuradha Kapur and Prof. B. Ananthakrishnan. Akademi secretary Karivellur Murali said that preparations for the 2026 edition are already under way, guided by the vision and expertise of this newly formed team.
The Hindu
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Hindu
Sangeetha Nataka Akademi all set to open its own bookstall
Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi's long-standing dream of establishing a dedicated bookstall is finally getting realised. Minister for Culture Saji Cherian is scheduled to inaugurate the bookstall on the Akademi premises on Monday. The first publication of the Akademi was Venkitta Ramanīyam, authored by Ennapadam Venkita Rama Bhagavatar during Kavalam Narayana Panicker's tenure in 1964, six years after it was found. Despite bringing out 78 books over the years, spanning various streams of performing arts, the Akademi never had a dedicated space for book sales until now. The Akademi's books have until now been sold only through the Akademi office, its programmes, and online channels. The new bookstall will give scholars, students, and art lovers a single, year-round venue to purchase the Akademi's authoritative publications on music, theatre, and allied art forms. Alongside existing titles, eight new publications are in the pipeline, including the Malayalam translation of Indian Method of Acting by renowned theatre director Prasanna, a comprehensive history of the Akademi itself, and the complete Malayalam translation of Bertolt Brecht's plays. The bookstall will also stock Keli, the Akademi's monthly journal, Kerala's only dedicated arts periodical, as well as offer discounts ranging from 20% to 50% on books. Minister for Higher Education R. Bindu will also attend the inaugural ceremony.
New Indian Express
17-07-2025
- Entertainment
- New Indian Express
Kerala to unveil new film policy by year-end; Kamal Haasan, Shobana among guests at August conclave
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Kerala will formulate a comprehensive film policy by the end of this year, Minister for Cultural Affairs Saji Cherian said while unveiling the logo of the Kerala Policy Conclave in Thiruvananthapuram on Wednesday. He added that the draft policy, prepared by a committee led by filmmaker Shaji N Karun in 2023, will be presented at the conclave for discussion and feedback. The two-day conclave, scheduled for August 2 and 3 at Sankaranarayanan Thampi Hall here, will be attended by over 500 prominent figures from the Indian and international film industry. Celebrities such as Kamal Haasan, Shobana, Sheela, and others are expected to participate, along with representatives from 17 states that have already introduced film policies. 'On the first day alone, we expect around 1,500 participants. This is a serious initiative by the government to frame a well-rounded policy that reflects diverse voices,' the minister added.
The Hindu
16-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Hindu
Culture Minister launches logo for Kerala film policy conclave
The proposed policy for the Malayalam film industry, to be presented at the Kerala film policy conclave in August, will address all the long-time demands and pertinent issues, including women's safety, implementation of labour laws and the formal recognition as an industry, Minister for Cultural Affairs Saji Cherian has said. Addressing a press conference here on Wednesday to announce the conclave and launch its logo, he said that the film policy will be formulated based on the discussions at the conclave. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan will inaugurate the two-day conclave at a function to be held at the Sankaranarayanan Thampi Hall inside the Legislative Assembly complex in Thiruvananthapuram on August 2. The conclave, which will comprehensively discuss various aspects of cinema, will be attended by representatives of the 17 States that have formulated the film policy, representatives of the National Film Development Corporation, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Union Ministry of Culture and Tourism, personalities from the Indian film industry as well as international experts, various film organisations and experts in the fields of labour and law. Mr. Cherian said that comprehensive discussions will be held on various issues related to the film sector. The conclave will have nine sessions over two days. After the inaugural session on the first day, five sessions will be conducted. All these sessions will be held simultaneously at five different venues. There will be a plenary session in the afternoon in which moderators from each discussion will present reports based on their discussions. This will be followed by an open forum at 4.30 p.m., in which representatives can raise questions related to the reports. Ideas emerging from the discussions will be codified and incorporated into the film policy. Wide-ranging process 'Such a wide-ranging, democratic process to formulate a policy for a film industry is unprecedented. The policy will be a comprehensive one in which every department of cinema will be considered and the concerns of every person will be addressed,' said Mr. Cherian. Cultural Affairs department Additional Chief Secretary Rajan N. Khobragade, Cultural Affairs department Director Divya S. Iyer, Kerala State Chalachitra Academy chairperson Premkumar, Kerala State Cultural Activists Welfare Fund Board chairperson K. Madhupal, Kerala State Film Development Corporation managing director P.S. Priyadarshan and Kerala State Chalachitra Academy secretary C. Ajoy were present.
